Tall hope: Mauryalok Complex. Telegraph picture

Patna, Dec. 4: The engineering department of Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) has started a survey of the foundation of Mauryalok Complex.

The state urban development department is planning a makeover of one of the oldest and largest shopping complexes in the capital.

The step has been taken after the urban development and housing department recently sent a proposal to the civic body asking it to give a clearance to go ahead with the upgrade plan of the existing shopping plaza.

Mayor Afzal Imam said: “According to the original design of the complex, it had to be a nine-storeyed one. However, its construction stopped at the fourth floor for some reason when it was built about two decades back. Now, we want to take it forward and renovate it completely. There are plans to add five floors to the existing complex and give the existing floors a makeover.”

Officials said plans were afloat to turn the complex into a huge nine-floor shopping mall-cum-office and a residential complex. The complex was constructed by Patna Regional Development Authority, which was later merged into the PMC.

Imam said the engineering department has been asked to prepare a survey of the complex to ascertain whether it would be correct to go ahead with the original design since so many years have passed. “The survey will be presented in PMC’s next empowered standing committee meeting,” Imam added.

According to the plan, urban development and housing department will carry out the construction once the PMC gives a go-ahead to the proposal in the form of a no-objection certificate.

The department then plans to hire a consultant to prepare a detailed project report. Sources said the PMC office would also be housed in the new part of the complex. According to the plan, official and residential flats for mayor and deputy mayor will also be constructed. At present, the complex houses the planning and development division of the PMC.